Important notices

Note: For additional information about importing a vehicle, visit the Transport Canada and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) web sites.

New Tax Rates For BC and PEI as of April 1st, 2013

March 12, 2013

The table below reflects the GST, HST, and QST that will be applicable to the RIV import fees commencing April 1, 2013.

Changes to the QST System in 2013

December 14, 2012

As of January 1, 2013, the QST will be calculated on the selling price not including GST. However, to ensure the total taxes payable remain the same, the QST rate will be increased to 9.975%.

Revenu Québec

Flood damaged Vehicles may enter the Canadian Marketplace

December 11, 2012

“Beware of vehicles being sold from the US and imported into Canada that may be flood damaged vehicles from the recent natural disaster in the north eastern US” warn CCMTA, Canada's road safety administrators. The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA), an organization comprising federal, provincial and territorial governments responsible for road safety in Canada, cautions consumers on purchasing used cars with origins along the US areas affected by hurricane Sandy, that may be flood damaged vehicles.

According to a recent article from the American Association of Motor Vehicle Transport Administrators (AAMVA), “tens of thousands of flood cars that have been submerged in salt water, and contaminated by bacteria and various toxins, will soon start to appear all over the country, even in states far from the center of the storm. AAMVA members should be aware that these vehicles may show up in their jurisdictions.”

Under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act administered by Transport Canada, vehicles imported from the United States are processed through the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) program. The RIV captures the branding shown on the US vehicle titles and makes this information available to all provincial/territorial licensing jurisdictions in Canada. All flood vehicles have been assigned a “non-repairable” brand, since early 2008. Vehicles with a “non-repairable” brand or status, do not qualify for on-road licensing and use in Canada.

The general public is advised to check with their provincial or territorial licensing office before purchasing a flood damaged vehicle in or from the U.S.

RIV recommends that importers conduct a complete title history search on a vehicle before purchase in order to see all brands assigned to the vehicle by U.S. licensing jurisdictions.

Carfax, Carproof, or Autocheck are some private companies that can provide title histories for a fee.

Harley Davidson Rear Light Configuration to Meet CMVSS 108

The Registrar of Imported Vehicles has updated the Federal Inspection process for Harley Davidson motorcycles requiring the rear light configuration as determined by Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 108.

Section 4 of the Vehicle Inspection Form will now require a signature by both the inspector and importer confirming the rear lights have been modified to meet Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108.

Importing New Canadian Specification Vehicles Into Canada

• A vehicle is considered “NEW” when it is purchased directly from a manufacturer. Acquisition documents must clearly indicate a purchase at the manufacturing level. Vehicles purchased at the retail level in the United States are not considered “NEW”.
• A “Canadian specification vehicle” is defined as a vehicle built to Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and bearing a Canadian Statement of Compliance to that effect.

For more information please refer to http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn12-003-eng.html

NEW RIV Canadian Certification Label

The Registrar of Imported Vehicles is pleased to announce its newly enhanced Canadian Certification label. Our new label uses the latest in print and tamper resistant technology and has been resized for an easier fit next to its U.S. counterpart. Made of reflective material, the label is easily read in low light conditions and is now in circulation.

Increase in the rate of the Québec sales tax (QST) as of January 1, 2012

The increase in the QST rate to 9.5% will apply to the tax payable as of January 1, 2012.

Toyota Sienna Spare Tire Cable recall update

Toyota Canada has provided us with an update in regards to the Spare Tire cable recall.

They have now indicated that once an authorized Toyota dealer inspects the cable they are satisfied that the following three possible outcomes will address the defect and will allow them to clear the recall:

Scenario A) The cable is not corroded at all. In this case the dealerships apply a rubberized coating to the cable to prevent corrosion.

Scenario B) The cable has minimal corrosion. If the cable has only a small amount of corrosion the corroded portion can be cut, the cable will be crimped and the remainder will be sprayed with a rubberized coating.

Scenario C) The cable has extensive corrosion. In this case the cable will be replaced and the new cable will also have the rubberized coating applied.

Replacement cables are currently available in Canadian dealerships for 1998- 2006 models. Toyota Canada has stated they are hopeful the cables for 2007 and newer models will be available by November 30th.

Harmonized Sales Tax

The table below reflects the GST, HST, and QST that will be applicable to the RIV import fees commencing July 1, 2010.

Importation of Vehicles into Canada Seminar

CBSA regularly offers public information seminars on importing vehicles from the United States. Follow the link to see when and where the next sessions will be held http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/events-evenements/menu-eng.html

Toyota accelerator pedal recall and spare tire cable recalls

Individuals purchasing a Toyota vehicle in the US should be aware that the vehicle may be subject to NHTSA recall 90L - Potential Floor Mat Interference with Accelerator Pedal Recall or A0E-Severe Corrosion of Spare Tire Carrier. Toyota is currently in the process of finalizing the recall remedy for the affected vehicles, and will be contacting owners of these vehicles by first class mail as soon as the dealers are prepared to have this important remedy performed.

Recall clearance is a requirement to complete the RIV program successfully, and consistent with our policy, no RIV inspection forms will be released for Toyota vehicles unless proof that either the vehicle is not affected by any recall, or if it is, that the defect has been remedied.

The RIV has been in daily contact with Toyota Canada throughout the various campaigns to determine which Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) imported through our program are affected by which recalls; if there is a remedy available; and, if so, whether or not the remedy has been applied.

For information about whether or not your vehicle is affected, and when a remedy will be available, please call 1-888-TOYOTA-8 or 1-888-869-6828 to register with Toyota.

If you have not yet purchased a Toyota vehicle in the U.S. and want to find out more about the recall status on makes and models, please visit http://www.toyota.ca for updated information on recalls.